Wabbit Season!
Dec 12
Yes, I’m a Looney Tunes nerd.
Click on the picture to see the Wabbit Season skit
Any who… I recently got the opportunity to repair a really nice figural rabbit (A.K.A. – wabbit) nutcracker for a Nutcracker Club member.
The rabbit had a big chip at the top of the left ear, an old very obvious repair on the jaw, a broken pin, and basically needed an overall refresh on the aged finish.
The repairs on this piece came out great and replacing the pin gave me the opportunity to make it a “hidden pin” which really adds to the overall quality of this piece.
Here are some before pictures:
Here’s how the piece came out:
Honestly, this was a fun piece to work on. It came out great and the customer was very happy with the work I did.
—– Brandon
Joan of Arc
May 12
Here’s a rare piece that I just finished recently for the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum.
The antique dealer Arlene Wagner (Nutcracker Museum’s curator) bought it from thinks the piece is from around the 1830’s and was made in France.
I only fixed the lower lip and left the rest of the piece’s character intact. When a piece is this old, doing a minimal restoration helps maintain its age and integrity.
- Before Restoration
- Before Restoration
- After Restoration
Thanks for looking,
—– Brandon
An Addendum
Feb 21
It’s official, the Addendum to The Art & Character of Nutcrackers is available for purchase from the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum:
Click here to buy the Addendum to The Art & Character of Nutcrackers
Be sure to look for my original pieces featured on pages 106 and 110.
There’s also mention of me on page 5 for the repair work I did on a 16th century French piece for the museum a few years ago. Unfortunately, the publisher misspelled my name as “Benard Etto”. So here’s a link to the repair work that proves it’s me:
Also if you don’t yet already have Arlene’s first book (The Art & Character of Nutcrackers) it’s available in the store as well.
I actually own 2 copies of each of these books. One is kept pristine while the other is used as reference. That way I don’t get all worried about having to take it out to the shop if I need to.
Arlene Wagner’s first book was a key element in getting me started in creating and repairing nutcrackers. Having my work featured in her new book is a huge honor for me. So if you get the chance, be sure to pick up a copy (or two). It’s a great book and a must have for any collector.
—- Brandon
Argh! There be Pirates…
Jan 17Here’s a great example of a figural Pirate nutcracker.
Picked him up on Ebay. He had some condition issues (chipped lip, chipped handle, and various dings in the face). Looks like he was dropped or the family dog got to it and carried it around in its mouth a little.
I originally bought this one to fix up and sell, but the wife fell in love with it after it was done so looks like he’s going in our collection. Oh darn! 🙂
I really do like how this one came out. The darker stain really makes this a better piece.
See the before and after photos below:
Before
Before Repairs – Close up of the face
Before Repairs – Right side showing handle damage
Before Repairs – Left Side
After
Stay tuned, more great pieces to come!
—– Brandon
2013 Nutcracker Collectors’ Club Convention – Day 2
Jul 15– Day 2 of the 2013 Nutcracker Collectors’ Convention
Day 2 of the Nutcracker Collectors’ Club Convention is usually a whirlwind and this year, it was no different. It started at the hotel with the club’s famous nutcracker show, sale, and auction. After the auction, the official club member’s meeting was held then any members who were interested were invited to go to Holden’s Arboretum to see Homer Jacob’s nutcracker collection.
The day finished with a fantastic meal at Dino’s Restaurant located in Mentor Ohio. Then we all said our farewells. It all went so fast that it’s all really over before you know it!
Pieces on display from Mike Pickwick’s collection.
Nutcracker Collectors’ Club show, sale, and auction
The pieces I brought to sell did real well at the auction.
Snail Nutcracker – Went to the Nutcracker Museum in Leavenworth
Greyhound Nutcracker (#3) – Went to a private collector in New Concord Ohio.
Skull Nutcracker (#4) – Went to a private collector in Ann Arbor Michigan.
— Holden’s Arboretum
The arboretum has a fantastic collection of nutcrackers that includes some very rare pieces. We were fortunate to be able to visit and have unrestricted access to the fantastic pieces Homer Jacob had collected. Rumor has it that the arboretum may be looking at selling off some of the pieces in the next couple of years.
Holden Arboretum – Homer Jacob’s Nutcracker Collection
Holden’s Arboretum had some great animal nutcrackers
Holden’s Arboretum also had 2 very rare House Nutcrackers
— Dino’s Restaurant in Mentor Ohio
The convention ended at Dino’s Restaurant in Mentor Ohio. We were all treated to a great Italian family style served meal. The Eggplant Parmesan was absolutely fabulous and hands down my favorite.
Dino’s Restaurant
Dino’s Party Room
— Parting Words
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end. We had a great time and were very sad to have to say goodbye to old friends and new ones we made this year.
Next year’s convention is scheduled to be in Roswell New Mexico. Hmmmmm…. looks like I’d better start designing a cool flying saucer screw type nutcracker or two….. AWESOME!!!!!
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who bought my pieces and brought me pieces to repair this year! If you’re following this blog, keep an eye out for some fantastic pieces to be featured as I get them repaired and restored!
Again, if you are interested in joining The Nutcracker Collectors’ Club ($20/year domestic, $25/year international), contact Susan Otto at nutsue@roadrunner.com.
2013 Nutcracker Collectors’ Club Convention – Day 1
Jul 05A huge THANK YOU goes out to Susan and Dave Otto for hosting this year’s Nutcracker Collectors’ Club convention. The festivities started at Susan and Dave’s home on Friday evening in Chesterland Ohio where we got an up close hands on tour of Susan’s fantastic collection.
I’ve known Susan for a few years and her collection has grown by leaps and bounds both in quantity and quality. Everyone was truly in awe at all the great pieces she owns. It is a fantastic collection and I am very fortunate that she sends pieces over to my studio for touch ups and/or repairs to keep her collection in tip top shape. It really does help take her collection to that next level and keep it awe inspiring.
Susan’s nutcracker collection
Susan’s daughter Erica, who is a great cook like her mother, prepared and served appetizers and food throughout the evening with help from her boyfriend Lou. The food was incredible to the extent that everyone, including my wife, was asking for recipes.
After dinner Susan’s quick witted and talented friend Chris Welken played acoustic guitar and performed songs from his clever and amusing music CD, Modest Expectations, which we all got a copy of to take home as a souvenir. Chris is very entertaining and his performance made for a delightfully fun evening.
Chris jamming out!
My wife and I had a blast. We got to catch up with friends we met 2 years ago at Mike Pickwick’s convention in Connecticut and we got to make new friends at Susan’s. I really can’t say enough about all the great people in the club! If you are interested in joining, contact Susan Otto at nutsue@roadrunner.com.
Membership costs $20 a year for domestic subscriptions and $25 a year for international ones which includes a quarterly newsletter, master list of members, and an invitation to the annual Collectors’ Club Convention. The membership fee does not cover the cost of actually attending the convention; obviously this costs extra. Word has it, the 2014 convention will be held in Roswell New Mexico. That’s exciting!
Susan talking about nutcrackers
Coming soon! – My coverage of Day 2:
- The famous Nutcracker Collectors’ Convention members’ sale and auction
- The Nutcracker Collector’s Club meeting notes
- A visit to Holden’s Arboretum
- Dinner at Dino’s